Vitasoy

Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.
Public company
Industry Food & Drinks
Founded 1940
Headquarters Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Products Vitasoy beverage
Website http://www.vitasoy.com
Vitasoy International Holdings Limited
Traditional Chinese 維他奶國際集團有限公司
Simplified Chinese 维他奶国际集团有限公司
Head office

Vitasoy (simplified Chinese: 维他奶; traditional Chinese: 維他奶; Jyutping: wai4 taa1 naai5); pinyin: Wéitānǎi (SEHK: 0345) is a brand of beverages and desserts in Hong Kong. Founded in 1940, it now operates under the Vitasoy International Holdings Limited. Its headquarters are in Tuen Mun, New Territories.[1]

"Vitasoy" products were centred on the high-protein soy milk drink that the company first produced. Over the years the company expanded beyond the soy drink products and started to produce a wide variety of beverages. Some of them (such as the fruit juice, milk, tea, soft drink, water, and tofu) were given the derivative brand name "Vita". Besides, it became one of the largest non-carbonated beverages, food manufacture, and seller in Hong Kong.

In addition, "Vitaland Services Limited"[2] is founded in 1991, it specialises in the operation and management of the tuck shops in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools and the canteen business. "Vitasoy" also established "Hong Kong Gourmet"[3] in 2001 to provide high-quality catering services to primary and secondary schools, and meetings.

History

Founder

Vitasoy was founded by Dr. Kwee Seong Lo (1910 1995)[4] on March 9, 1940 in Hong Kong with door-to-door delivery of the milk alternative. At that time, many people suffered from poverty and malnutrition due to the higher price of milk, so Dr. Lo wanted to save the children from this blight, but because he realised many Chinese immigrants are lactose intolerant, so he focused on soy milk.[5] The company ceased operations from 1941 to 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. It re-emerged after the war was over.

At first, fresh soya bean milk was delivered to people's homes on bicycle, and later Dr. Lo began selling his product through retail outlets. By 1950, the sales of soya bean milk increased, Vitasoy decided to establish a new factory to meet market demand. In 1953, it adopted the sterilization technology in manufacture of VITASOY soymilk drinks, which enabled the drinks to be stored without refrigeration. In 1975, Vitasoy became the first Hong Kong Company to introduce Tetra Pak packaging technology for drinks production. It involves UHT (ultra-heat treatment) sterilisation of the product and packaging in aseptic cartons, ensures that the drink product can be kept for months without refrigeration. By the late 70's and early 80's, Vitasoy became a well-known household brand and started to expand the overseas markets in the 80s and 90s. Yvonne Lo, the daughter of the Dr. Kwee Seong Lo, introduced Vitasoy's soy milks to the U.S. market in 1979. Today, Vitasoy products are sold in approximately 40 markets around the world, including the Macau, Mainland China, Australia and New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, Europe, Singapore and South East Asia.

In addition, the current CEO of Hong Kong and Macau at Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd is Charles Chyi, Chung,[6] who's known for his innovative works in the Asia market.[5]

Development of other brands

In 1976, Vitasoy launched a series of juice drinks, and subsequently launched lemon tea, chrysanthemum tea and other drinks in 1978 and 1979.

In 1994, Vitasoy established a new factory in Shenzhen City as the first Hong Kong foreign plant. Later in 1998, it established new factories in Shanghai and Ayer, Massachusetts in the United States.

In 2001, Vitasoy opened its first manufacturing plant in Australia. In 2008, it acquired Unicurd Food Co. (Private) Ltd., a tofu manufacturing company in Singapore. Vitasoy’s plant in Foshan and Wuhan, Mainland China were opened in 2011 and 2016 respectively. In 2016, Vitasoy divested certain assets of its North American operation. Vitasoy USA continues its sales and distribution of Asian import beverage business in North America.[7]

Products

Vitasoy beverages are packed in paper packs, PET bottles, glass bottles and cans.

VITASOY Soy drinks come in original, malted, black soyabean, coconut, melon, red bean, coffee, and chocolate flavours. Vitasoy also produces a milk suitable for use in cafes. VITASOY SAN SUI tofu is available in silken tofu, pan-fried hard tofu, hard tofu, dessert tofu, ginger brown sugar dessert tofu, osmanthus dessert tofu.

Vitasoy also offers:

Facilities

See also

References

  1. "Contact Us." Vitasoy. Retrieved on 10 November 2014. "Address : 1 Kin Wong Street, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong" - Address in Chinese: "地址 : 香港新界屯門建旺街1號"
  2. Vitaland Service Limited. (n.d.). Company Background. Retrieved from http://www.vitaland.com.hk/en/home/index.html
  3. Hong Kong Gourmet Limited. (n.d.). Company Profile. Retrieved from http://www.hkgourmet.com.hk/en/contact_us/contact_information.htm
  4. "Obituaries - Dr. Kwee Seong Lo". Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society Volume 58. 1993-1994. The Oriental Ceramic Society. 1995. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
  5. 1 2 History of Vitasoy
  6. Thomson Reuters. (n.d.). Stock Quotes & Company News | Reuters.com. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=VTSYF.PK
  7. http://www.vitasoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ew_00345-Announcement-Disposal-of-Assets_20160324.pdf, "March 24, 2016 Disposal of Assets", Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  8. http://www.vitavitasoy.com/milktea.php
  9. http://www.distilledwater.com.hk/index.php
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